TITLE:
Effective Beneficiation of Low Grade Iron Ore Through Jigging Operation
AUTHORS:
B. Das, S. Prakash, S.K. Das, P.S.R. Reddy
KEYWORDS:
Low grade iron ore, mineralogy, jigging, particle size, water rate, separation efficiency.
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.7 No.1,
March
20,
2008
ABSTRACT: The effectiveness of jigging operation for the beneficiation of low-grade iron ore
deposits of Orissa, India has been investigated. Iron ore sample obtained from Barbil
region of Orissa containing very high amount of silica and alumina was crushed using
the laboratory jaw crusher and roll crusher to prepare different particle sizes. The sink
and float tests were carried out to evaluate the possible response of the sample by gravity
concentration technique. The samples were subjected to jigging in a laboratory Denver
mineral jig and Harz jig. The operating variables used to determine the effectiveness of
jigging include, particle size, velocity of water and amplitude. Recovery of iron values
and the separation efficiency were assessed by determining mineralogy and the
percentages of Fe in the jig concentrate and tailings by wet chemical and X-ray
floroscence (XRF) techniques. Optimum iron ore recovery of 78.6% was achieved with
63.7% Fe in concentrate when the jig was operated at medium stroke, with an average
water velocity and at a particle size of below 5 mm. The results are very close to
theoretical results obtained by sink and float studies.